Job Description
Job title: Animal Welfare Assistant (Weekend 16 hours)
Location: Southampton Rehoming Centre
Directorate: Service Delivery
Responsible to: Rehoming Centre Manager
Main purpose of job
To admit, care for and rehome unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and other small animals; to advise potential new owners and the general public in the care and welfare of their animals. To work as part of a team delivering a first class customer service, answering queries and matching and rehoming animals effectively.
To promote Blue Cross services and maximise rehoming opportunities
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
· Valid manual driving licence
· Significant animal care and handling experience
· Working with members of the public in a customer service environment
· Administrative skills, including computerised systems
· Experience of working to strict health and safety procedures
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
· Good literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable experience
· Paid or voluntary employment in an animal welfare environment
· Experience of cash handling
The person
You will have a cheerful, confident and friendly approach, with the ability to work on your own or as part of a team. You will demonstrate the flexibility and empathy required when working with animals and a confident, professional and courteous approach to members of the public. You will possess a love of animals and show a commitment to the aims of Blue Cross and a willingness and ability to learn and follow instructions. You will be good humoured and enjoy working in a close knit team. You must be able to prioritise tasks and demands whilst at all times maintaining a professional, polite and patient approach to visitors and telephone callers.
Key accountabilities
· To admit, care for and rehome unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and other small animals.
· Day to day care of cats, dogs, rabbits and other small animals, to include cleaning of accommodation, grooming, feeding, exercise and administration of medication as required
· In accordance with Blue Cross procedures, conduct animal assessments at the centre and in the home adhering to Blue Cross behaviour modification and training programmes
· Maintain accurate paper and electronic records to include admission, adoption, behaviour, financial and veterinary information
Other duties and responsibilities
· Work as directed by the Rehoming Centre Manager/Animal Welfare Supervisor
· Ensure the highest standards of customer care are delivered to all centre visitors and contacts by presenting a professional and friendly approach both face to face and on the telephone
· Deliver first class, professional customer service to all stakeholders, using a range of communication methods
· Assist customers to select animals appropriate to their circumstances by providing accurate and relevant information and advice
· In accordance with Blue Cross procedures, ensure animals available for rehoming are positively promoted to encourage rehoming
· Support and assist centre volunteers
· To assist with centre fund raising, publicity and education events and activities
· Work to centre protocols to maintain high standards of presentation throughout the centre
· To assess and resolve enquires, requests and complaints to ensure customer enquires are resolved at first point of contact unless specialist knowledge or further investigation is required
· Provide a comprehensive information service to the public, advising on services available from, and the policies and procedures of Blue Cross
· Maximise rehoming opportunities by assisting customers to select animals appropriate to their circumstances by providing accurate and relevant information and advice
Salary
£15,910 - £17,205 per annum pro rata
Job details
Standard hours are 16 hours per week Saturday & Sunday, however, to the nature of the work of Blue Cross, and this post, it will be necessary to exceed these hours when the work load demands.
There may be occasions when it will be necessary to work at other locations which would include staying overnight for training or other business need requirements
A uniform is provided and must be worn during working hours. In the interest of Health & Safety and to perform a physically active job, team members are required to maintain a suitable level of fitness to enable them to perform their job effectively.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE
If you feel you have the skills and experience to apply for this position, please complete and return the application from. You may submit your CV together with any supporting information as part of your application. You can either email your completed application form to or post it to:
Human Resources
Blue Cross
Shilton Road
Burford
Oxfordshire
OX18 4PF
Closing date for receipt of completed applications 18 July 2017
Integrity Dynamic Responsible Compassionate Fair & Reasonable 2